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Is there a smaller model railway gauge than N?
Posted in: Model Railway
5th May 2022
There are a couple of gauges smaller than N gauge, the most recognised being Z and T gauges.To give you an idea...
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Is airbrushing better than hand painting?
Posted in: Painting
15th July 2019
Both methods have their pros and cons. It takes a little practice to get proficient in using an airbrush but once...
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What advantages does using cork as a track bed offer to a modeller ?
Posted in: Tracks
23rd October 2023
Cork is a popular choice for model railway track beds due to its numerous advantages. Let's explore some of the...
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What are the model railway eras?
Posted in: Model Railway
24th June 2019
According to Bachmann, as it states in their catalogue there are 9 eras. As they say in their catalogue this is not...
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What is the purpose of the trackmat system by Hornby?
Posted in: Tracks
11th December 2023
The purpose of the trackmat system by Hornby is to provide a convenient and easy-to-use solution for model railway...
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How can you tell the complexity of a kit?

The complexity of a model kit can often be subjective depending on a modeller's experience and dexterity, so how can you tell if a particular kit is for you?

That is a very big question considering the sheer number and types of kit on the market. Some manufacturers such as Airfix and Revell offer a rating system on the box to suggest a modelling ability their kit is aimed at, but what about the rest?

If you are in a shop, you can always ask for a peek inside the box. If you're doing this, take note of the number of parts in the kit. If you don't like big or complex projects, the chances are you will not enjoy a 200-piece kit.

Once you have found a suitably sized project, pay particular attention to the size of the components in the kit. Although none of us like to admit it, the clock only ticks one way, so make sure that you are happy and capable of putting together the smaller parts. It's important to be honest with yourself at this point because the shopkeeper is probably not going to make any assumptions, and rightly so.

If you are shopping online, the task of identifying the complexity of a kit becomes more, well, complex! Most listings will give little away, concentrating more on the details and what's included, and an internet search for the product will likely only succeed in bringing up lots more listings, so you end up going round and round in circles.

If that frustration sounds familiar, try looking on YouTube for your answer. There are thousands of model reviews and unboxing videos out there as well as a generous library of tutorials. These are great for assessing a kit because even if the audio doesn't directly address your questions, the footage will certainly help you.

Finally, if you prefer your communication in a more traditional way, you can always chat to your local modelling club or phone your local model shop, both of which are always happy to help!

Posted in: Kit building

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